Bucky Barnes is one of two characters who hold an impressive Marvel Cinematic Universe record, and I think he deserves a bigger focus in the franchise due to that. Sebastian Stan’s performances as Bucky have made him one of Marvel’s best live-action characters. Bucky has had a lot of character development, going from a war hero to HYDRA’s mind-controlled Winter Soldier to a broken man trying to atone for the sins of his past. Bucky has gone through it all, and alongside the cast of Thunderbolts*, he will explore that past.

In Marvel Comics, Bucky was Steve Rogers’ first successor as Captain America. The MCU chose not to do that, skipping him in favor of making Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson the new Captain America. While I understand that choice, as it made sense story-wise, I can’t help but think that Bucky is far too interesting and popular a character not to be given the spotlight he deserves. I believe that future MCU movies need to have Bucky stand out more, and the fact he holds an impressive MCU record means Marvel has to take notice.

Bucky Is One Of Two Confirmed MCU Characters To Appear In Every Phase

The MCU Has An Impressive List Of Characters

In March, Marvel Studios announced the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. In doing so, it was confirmed that Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki are now the only two characters to hold an impressive record. Bucky and Loki are the only MCU characters to appear in every Phase of the MCU.

They debuted in Phase One and have been confirmed to stay in the franchise until at least Phase Six, which is when Avengers: Doomsday will be released. However, I think Marvel has treated the two characters differently, and it is time Bucky gets the same love as Loki.

Marvel Studios Needs To Finally Make Bucky A Proper Main Character In The MCU

The Hero Has Yet To Lead A Full-On Solo Project

Stan’s Bucky Barnes was the main villain of an MCU movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and was the co-lead of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. However, the latter was clearly focused on Sam Wilson’s journey to becoming Captain America, and due to that, I don’t think that Bucky got as much focus as he deserved. When Kevin Feige claimed Bucky would be the leader of the team in Thunderbolts*, I was excited. However, the first reactions to Marvel’s Thunderbolts* are out, and they are mostly focused on Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova being the movie’s main character and standout.

As such, Bucky once again will not be the main hero in a project he is supposed to play a key role in. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki did not face that problem, with Disney+’s Loki series giving the character two seasons to establish himself as a hero and go on an impressive journey. I think it’s time Marvel made the record count for Bucky and gave him a key role in Phase 6. Be it as a co-Captain America alongside Sam Wilson or leading a solo project, which could even be a Special Presentation, Bucky Barnes needs to shine more.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  May 1, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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